"The Door to Hawkins Has Not Yet Closed"... 'Stranger Things' Making Documentary to Be Released on January 12

At the end of last year, Netflix's all-time best series 'Stranger Things' concluded its decade-long journey with Season 5. However, the echoes of Hawkins continue into the new year of 2026. The behind-the-scenes of the 'final story' that fans have eagerly awaited will be revealed.

According to Netflix on the 7th (local time), the documentary 'One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5', which deeply covers the production process of 'Stranger Things' Season 5, will be released on January 12.

◆ "Reviving the Legacy of Physical Media"

This documentary is directed by Martina Radwan. The creators of the series, the Duffer Brothers, recalled in a statement, "When we dreamed of becoming filmmakers in North Carolina as children, what changed our lives was the vast behind-the-scenes footage of the extended edition of 'The Lord of the Rings.'" They expressed their regret that such in-depth behind-the-scenes storytelling has disappeared due to the decline of physical media (DVD/Blu-ray) and stated, "We wanted to revive the emotions of that time through this documentary."

◆ What Is the Countdown to 'January 7'?

Recently, the mysterious website 'novembersixthnineteeneightyseven.com' that stirred the fandom ended its countdown on the 7th. Fans speculated that this site, which pointed to January 7 along with Vecna's clock, might be revealing a hidden sixth episode. Following Netflix's release of a teaser video for the documentary on the 5th, stating, "Open the door to curiosity," this countdown is interpreted as a teaser for the documentary release or a new expansion of the franchise.

◆ It Worked in Theaters... Earned $35 Billion with 'Popcorn'

Meanwhile, the series finale, which was screened in a limited release in 620 theaters across the U.S. and Canada on December 31, garnered attention for its unique revenue structure. Due to issues with actors' streaming residuals contracts, traditional ticket sales were not possible, so Netflix employed a workaround strategy by selling 'Concession Vouchers'. Nevertheless, 1.1 million vouchers were pre-sold, generating over $25 million (approximately 35 billion KRW) in concession revenue alone.

◆ The 'Strange' Universe Is Not Over

While the main story has ended, the universe expands. The Duffer Brothers are currently developing an animated series titled 'Stranger Things: Tales from '85', set in the winter of 1985 between Seasons 2 and 3, as well as a live-action spin-off series. The documentary to be released on the 12th is expected to be the final gift to soothe the fans' disappointment in saying goodbye to 'Stranger Things.'